The rod isn't really all tip heavy. I've got a 1st gen revo inshore on it and it balances right around the center of the fore grip with a 1/2 spoon tied on. Since it sounds like I was on the right track with the fighting butt, I'm gonna drop it off next week and get it done. The extra weight from that should move the balance point back close to the reel.

What I've done with tip heavy rods in the past is notch out the cork just above the butt cap to put a wrap of pencil lead around it and the wrapped the the handle whatever after market grip wrap I saw (I think it x flock or something like that). That was just easier than any of the other options I found to counterbalance a rod.